One of my favorite television shows is returning on Sunday, September 26 at 8:30pm on CBS and I'm so excited to check out the latest contestants on The Amazing Race.
Season 17's crop of racers ranges from the typical -- best friends and couples -- to more the unique -- home shopping hosts and a mother who gave her now-reunited daughter up for adoption. Take a closer look at the the 11 teams who will race around the world for $1 million.
 Chad and Stephanie Dating Couple Chad Waltrip: Operations Manager, 26, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Stephanie Smith: Hair Stylist, 23, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida |
 Jill and Thomas Dating Couple Jill Haney: Hair Stylist, 27, from Marina Del Ray, California Thomas Wolfard: Ad Sales Director, 30, from Marina Del Ray, California |
 Nick and Vicki Dating Couple Nick DeCarlo: Bartender, 26, from Henderson, Nevada Vicki Casciola: Hair Stylist, 26, from Henderson, Nevada |
 Andie and Jenna Mother and Daughter Andie DeKroon: Stay-at-Home Mom, 43, from Atlanta, Georgia Jenna Sykes: Student (University of Georgia), 21, from Athens, Georgia |
 Gary and Mallory Father and Daughter Gary Ervin: Entrepreneur, 53, from Morganfield, Kentucky Mallory Ervin: Miss Kentucky 2009, 24, from Lexington, Kentucky |
 Michael and Kevin Father and Son Michael Wu: Software Consultant and Content Creator, 58, from Sugar Land, Texas Kevin Wu: Student/Internet Entertainer, 20, from Sugar Land, Texas |
 Katie and Rachel Beach Volleyball Partners Katie Seamon: Beach Volleyball Player, 23, from Rahway, New Jersey Rachel Johnston: Beach Volleyball Player, 24, from Moorestown, New Jersey |
 Brook and Claire Home Shopping Hosts Brook Roberts: Home Shopping Host, 27, from San Diego, California Claire Champlin: Home Shopping Host, 30, from Reno, Nevada |
 Connor and Jonathan College Students Connor Diemand-Yauman: Student (Princeton), 22, from Chesterland, Ohio Jonathan Schwartz: Student (Princeton), 22, from Cranford, New Jersey |
 Ron and Tony Best Friends Ron Kellum: Director/Choreographer, 46, from Los Angeles, California Tony Stovall: Doctoral Student (University of Arizona), 42, from Tucson, Arizona |
 Nat and Kat Best Friends Nat Strand: Doctor, 31, from Scottsdale, Arizona Kat Chang: Doctor, 35, from Santa Monica, California |
Looks like a fun season ahead! You can watch individual team interview videos on CBS.com and click around to learn more about the contestants. Season 17 of The Amazing Race premieres on Sunday, September 26 at 8:30pm on CBS